Benefits of Electronic Filing

Fast

• Electronic filing is the fastest way to file. Electronic returns are processed quickly, even if you wait until the due date to file. Paper returns take approximately four weeks to process.
• If you file electronically and choose direct deposit of your refund, we will transfer the funds to your bank account within several days from the date your return is accepted and processed.
• You also get immediate confirmation that we received your filing.

Free

• You can file your Maryland tax return for free, using our iFile service.
• You may also qualify to electronically file your federal return free of charge by IRS Free File.
• Some of the companies participating in the IRS Free File program will file your Maryland return electronically for free as well.

Convenient

• You don't have to worry about a mistake delaying your refund because errors are corrected immediately.
• You can file both your federal and state return electronically from your personal computer, using an approved online provider.
• You can choose among a large number of commercial tax preparers who are approved by the IRS and us to file your federal and state taxes electronically.
• If you have a balance due and file electronically by April 15 deadline, you have until April 30 to make your electronic payment by direct debit or credit card.
• You can also pay by check or money order, but check or money order payments are due by April 15.
• You can print out a copy of your electronic return for your records.

Secure

• If you use a tax professional: Tax return data submitted by professional tax preparers is transmitted through IRS under rules and procedures that ensure the confidentiality of your tax information.
• If you use an online provider: Most Internet sites are equipped to prevent unauthorized people from seeing the data sent to or from those sites. Check with your online provider if you have questions about the security of their site. Once your tax information has been transmitted to a Web site, the data is sent to us through the state's electronic filing network. This network does not use the Internet. It is a private network designed to meet the highest security standards.